Looking to support climbing plants like cucumbers or squash? In this post, we’ll walk you through how to create a rustic, sturdy garden trellis using recycled pallet wood.
It’s cost-effective, scalable, and adds a charming touch to any garden space—whether you’re planting in large beds or five-gallon buckets.
Why This Plan Works
✅ Utilizes free, repurposed pallet wood
✅ Scalable design based on planter size
✅ Customizable angles and dimensions
✅ Minimal hardware required
✅ Great for squash, cucumbers, peas, and other climbers
What You Will Need
- 1 wooden pallet
- Table saw
- Reciprocating saw with 10–12″ demolition-grade blade
- Screws or nails
- Safety goggles
- (Optional) Chop saw and drill
Step 1. Dismantle the Pallet
To begin, break down the pallet to harvest usable wood. We recommend a reciprocating saw with a thick demolition blade (10–12 inches).
The longer blade helps you maneuver between boards and reduces strain. Avoid using a pry bar—it may splinter the brittle wood.
Once the pallet is dismantled, sort the wood based on size and condition for different parts of the trellis.
Step 2. Rip the Boards
Select the center boards, which are typically similar to 2x4s. Using a table saw, rip them to 1½ inches thick. Exercise caution here—embedded nails can cause dangerous kickbacks. Always wear safety goggles and stand to the side of the saw blade. Cut all boards to a standard length; 36 inches works well.
You’ll end up with both square-edge and oddly-shaped pieces. Use the square ones for the uprights and the uneven ones for horizontal supports. Mark a 20-inch square template on a piece of plywood for accurate spacing of the trellis feet.
Step 3. Shape the Uprights
With the 20-inch template as your guide, position the uprights at your preferred angle. These angles are flexible—choose what suits your space or aesthetic. For reference:
- The bottom horizontal bar sits 12 inches from the bottom.
- Upright bases are cut to 10½ inches to match the angle.
- The top bar sits roughly 4½ inches from the top of each upright.
Use the oddly-shaped boards for horizontal strips. You can trim them on a chop saw if needed.
To prevent splitting, we recommend pre-drilling screw holes, although this wasn’t done in our case. Insert just one screw per joint for now—this makes fine-tuning the angle easier later.
Step 4. Assemble the Frame
Now connect the shaped uprights with the horizontal boards to form a pyramid structure. With just one screw at each joint, you can adjust the angle as needed.
While precision isn’t crucial—plants won’t mind a little asymmetry—aim to keep things roughly even. Start by securing the top and bottom bars, then add mid-level supports. Feel free to install additional horizontal bars or attach netting, wire, or twine if you like. We personally prefer to tie plants as they grow.
Step 5. Install in the Garden
Once your trellis is fully assembled, place it directly into your garden or planter box. It’s ready to support fast-growing climbers like squash or cucumbers. The spacing and height give your plants room to thrive, while the wooden structure adds a handmade charm to your garden beds.
Note: Don’t forget to inspect your pallet before use—make sure it’s heat-treated and free of chemicals or rot.
Other Details Display
- Finished Height: Depends on length of uprights (e.g., 36 inches)
- Base Width: 20 inches, marked using a plywood template
- Tools Used: Reciprocating saw, table saw, optional chop saw
- Safety Tip: Always wear goggles when cutting pallet wood
- Screws: One per joint to allow flexible assembly
- Optional Add-ons: Chicken wire, garden netting, or twine
- Best Plants: Cucumbers, butternut squash, peas, beans
Summary
Building a garden trellis with pallet wood is a satisfying, eco-friendly project that supports your climbing plants beautifully.
With just a few tools and some reclaimed wood, we can create a durable support structure that’s both functional and rustic.
Garden trellis with pallet wood projects like this one make the most of what we already have—and they help our gardens thrive in the process.
This plan is a contribution by [Christopher SeanH]. Project Via Instructables – Get the PDF Instructions here.
